"When you would talk to Percy and ask him what was the best part of his life he would smile and say his family. Percy loved his kids. Bragged about them all day everyday. Yes he was well off as he would say but even if he wasn't. Even if he didn't have a dime to his name as long as he had his family he didn't care. He had been my best friend for over thirty years. We went to High school together. He was my brother. He believed in my skills so much that he even invested in my Garage. He helped me so much and I owe him so much. I will always love him. For any of you who only recently met the man I feel sorry for you. For there was no other man in the world like him. Ima miss you buddy."

Jackson walked off the stage and Chad stood up.

"Thanks uncle Jack. Is there anyone else who would like to say anything?"

"I would."

Mercedes knew who it was before she even saw him. Sam stood up and walked to the stage. Finn held a tighter grip on Mercedes's hand. Mercedes held her breath as he walked pass. He looked so handsome in his black suit with a baby blue shirt and tie. And he smelled so very good.

"A lot of you may not know me and that is because I am not from around here. I recently met Mr. Jones in person and we had a few phone conversations. I am friends with Mercedes, Tonya and Jenna. I know what it feels like to lose a parent and I just want to let you all know that I am here for you. You're father and your uncle well he was a great man. Even from the few times we spoke I knew that. He loved you all and I am so sorry for you loss. Just remember he may be lost to the world but as long as you hold on to you faith…he wont be lost to you."

Sam walked down and placed his hand onto Mercedes's shoulder then walked away. Mercedes looked after him and saw he sat with Noah. Mercedes stood up with Chad and Marcus as they began the last viewing. Mercedes walked over to her dad and he didn't look real. It was him but it wasn't. She placed her hand on his and felt new tears form in her eyes.

She walked out the funeral home and over to her car. She didn't want it but Chad insisted she keep it. It was beautiful. Newly fixed and just perfect. A baby blue mustang Corvette. One that Mercedes had always begged her dad to get her. He was just so proud of her. Mercedes felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned around.

"Hey."

"Sam hey."

"How are you holding up?"

"Well it could be worse I guess so I'm ok."

"You know I didn't mean to come uninvited its just I knew you could use all the support you could get."

She nodded. "Well thank you for coming…I liked what you said up there."

"Yeah well I meant it. I liked your dad and he seemed to like me."

She wiped her eyes. "How did you lose your mom?"

"She had cancer. On minute she was there the next she's gone. It was hard but I made it through."

"Did people walk over to you and say oh its gonna be ok?"

"Yeah and she's in a better place."

"How about are you ok dear?"

"I know I wanted to scream I just lost my mom what do you think."

Mercedes laughed softly for the first time in what seemed like forever. "I know and what about is there anything I can do for you."

"Yeah like you aren't hurt enough you need people reminding you of what you lost."

"I wanted to smack that lady who asked me. Honey do you know how long he would have had if you kept him on life support. Like I really wanted an answer to that question."

Sam shoved his hands in his pockets. "Yeah I know. I hit someone in their face…this man was in my face talking about I knew your mom. She was so this and that. If I could have had her I would have. I punched him in his face."

"I would have too."

"I am sorry about your dad you know that? Don't you?"

"Yeah I know…I want to thank you anyways…I haven't laughed in a while now."

"Well I am glad I could help bring a smile to your face."

"Well you did. I guess it's just nice to talk to someone who understands."

"Well I do…you wanna go somewhere and finish talking?"

"I do but they are doing the reading of the will and I have to be there but can we go after?"

"Sure…by the way I love your car."

"Yeah it was a gift from my dad."

"Well he did have good taste."

"Yeah. I am glad we can still be friends…you know after everything that happened."

"Yeah me too. I want you in my life and if I have to have you as a friend then I will."

"Thank you for that."

"So I will see you after your meeting?"

"Yeah…you can come if you want."

"No it's just for family."

"No its fine. We are having it at the house and it's not a big deal."

"Ok then…can I bum a ride?"

"Umm I'm not sure."

"What why?"

"Cause I haven't been able to drive this car."

"How did it get here?"

"Uncle Jack brought it by with his wife. I have the keys I just cant get in."

"Well let's go for it."

"What do you mean I cant? Its too hard."

"Come on you can do it. I will be with you. Come on what can it hurt?"

"What can it hurt? It hurt my dad."

"And that is why you need to do this. Come on look at this car its saying drive me, drive me."

"I shouldn't Finn should be coming out anytime soon."

"Finn…oh come on are you kidding me? Who cares this isn't about Finn this is about you. So lets go."

He hopped in the car and patted the driver's seat.

"Come on…its leather."

"Fine."

She jumped into the car.

"This is a great start. Now start the car."

"Ok."

Mercedes started the car and placed her seat belt. She placed the car in drive and eased out of the parking lot.

Sam glanced over to her. "You are doing great."

"I'm not so sure this was a good idea."

"Mercedes its fine. Look at you. You're driving your car. A car your dad gave you. You are taking the first step."

"And what is that first step?"

"Forgiveness."

Mercedes pulled the car to the curb and stopped. She looked at Sam.

"Forgiveness? What do I need to forgive my dad for?"

"Not your dad. You. I know you feel responsible. You were away from home…he was driving your car…but you are not responsible. You're just a victim of fate. You need to forgive yourself."

"How did you know?"

"When my mom died I went through it. I felt like I could have done something. Like it was somehow my fault. But I talked to someone and he told me that what I was feeling was normal and I should allow myself to be forgiven. So know that no one blames you. It wasn't your fault."

She hugged Sam and he hugged her back.

"Sam…why did you come?"

"Come? What do you mean?"

"To the funeral…here why did you come here?"

"Because you needed me. And no matter what happened between us I promised you I would be here for you."

Mercedes looked him in his eyes. She saw specks of tears in his eyes. They glistened in the sunlight. Sam leaned in and kissed her. She allowed him to. She pulled him close to her and allowed his tongue to part her lips. Sam held her tight as he felt his head spinning out of control. He missed her and he didn't realize how much until the kiss. Mercedes pulled away and stared in front of her. She knew he would try to kiss her but she didn't know she would allow him too.

"Sam I cant do this."

"Mercedes don't do this to me please."

"Sam we cant I have a boyfriend."

"And what does he do for you. Can he fill his kisses with as much passion as I can?"

"Sam you are amazing and you always do and say the right things. I fell in love with you. All I wanted was you. But when you hurt me so badly. You hurt me and I cant trust you. I don't know if I ever can."

"Mercedes I have changed. I'm not that guy. That was one mistake."

"Yeah one mistake that I walked in on. You said you wanted to be my friend and that would be great but that is all that I want to be."

"I don't believe you."

"You don't have to believe me."

He pulled her to him again and held her. she closed her eyes expecting him to kiss her. her heart started to race and her face flushed as she opened her eyes.

"You feel that Mercedes? Your pulse is racing just by being close to me."

She closed her eyes. She felt so content in his arms.

"Why wont you give me a chance to be what you need?"

She wanted to give in, but she stopped herself.

"Its time for us to get back to the house. Sam you are gonna go back to LA and I am gonna get what I need done here."

"Mercedes."

She shook her head and started the car and turned to her house. She parked in the driveway and saw Jenna on the stairs.

"Mercedes we were worried about you. Are you ok?"

"Yeah I am."

"Well I can see that. You're driving the car that's a good sign."

"Well my friend said it would help and it did."

"Your friend?"

"Sam and I are friends and I thank him for helping me through this. So is everyone in the house?"

"Yeah they are waiting for you."

Mercedes walked into the house and Jenna walked over to the car. Sam was still in the front seat.

"What happened?"

"Didn't she just tell you? We are friends. And I just made a complete ass of myself."

"Sam I told you she wasn't ready."

"Well I had to try. I am in love with her and I know she loves me too. I cant just let that go."

"Its not your choice. This is Mercedes's life and she has to do what is best for her."

"I know that. But Finn cant do for her what I can."

"Well Finn wasn't caught about to sleep with his ex. You were."

"I know and if I could take it back I would."

"Look I need to get inside. So are you coming or not?"

"Yeah I'm coming."

They walked into the house and went into the dining room where everyone was gathered. Sam saw Finn wrap his arm around Mercedes.

"Ok I am glad everyone could make it. This is your father's last will and testament. But I am not gonna read it. Your father being the man his is recently decided to make a video of it. So here it is."

He pushed play.

"Hey guys…well if you are watching this tape. I have passed away. Man I hope it's not for a long time. In which you guys wont see this tape. Ha anyways if you are watching this tape I can tell you what is going through your minds. Chad is sitting in the chair with his arms folder. Putting on that I'm the oldest and I don't get hurt face. Marcus is avoiding looking at this video because that is what he does when he is hurt avoids it until he can face it. And Mercedes you my dear are the most predictable. You're sitting there. Tears streaming down your face rocking back and forth. You three are the most important people to me and I love you. So enough with the chit chat lets get down to business. First off I would like to say I am sorry about the divorce. Diane and I just couldn't make it work. While I got more into the church she pulled away."

The DVD was paused and Chad looked at Diane.

"The divorce? You guys were getting a divorce?"

"We have been divorced for about a month now. You father wanted to tell you all together so the week you guys were going to California I was going to move out."

"I can't believe this. Is there anything else we should know?"

She sighed. "The only way you are going to know that is if you finish the video."

They pushed play.

"But we are going to remain friends. Now lets get on to the big things. To my children and I am including my two beautiful nieces in this. I leave you each a percentage of the all my stores. You will each receive twenty percent. Now in receiving a part of the stores you are entitled to your opinion however the stores at my request will be ran by Chad and someday Marcus as well. My girls I know you and you never had the heart to run a store.

Jenna you get your degree and become the best Lawyer the world has ever seen and Tonya girl when you become a College professor and then senator I know you are gonna make a huge difference. And Mercedes we all know that you are gonna make one heck of a Doctor. But here I go getting off track. I leave the house and cars except for Diane's BMW to you kids. To do with what you will. I only hope one of you use it to let your family grow up in. To my Baby Sis, one of the people I go to in times of need. I leave you my half of our inheritance. I know you don't need it so I am leaving it up to you to put it to good use.

To my God Children Kyle, Abby and Laney I leave you with the auto parts store I recently started with the help of your father. I know when you are older it will be running so smoothly that you can just sit back and rack in the cash. (As my children used to say.)

To Jackson, I leave you my baseball card collection. We started it together when we were fourteen and look at it now. I am also making you sole owner of the garage. You no longer answer to anyone but yourself. In the safe you will find all the necessary papers needed for you and you will be sole owner of all the investments. Take care of your wonderful family. And please look after mine as well. Remember that promise we made. You take care of mines and I will take care of yours. Everything thing else will be divided equally between my children. All the stocks and bonds. As for you Diane I am still very angry and I know that's not right and I will pray that I over come that anger.

You will still have money from when we settled out of court so to you I leave all your belongings I also leave you a house I purchased in your name. And the money I started for you in your separate bank account. As per to our agreement you will receive that set amount every month. And lastly I want to leave you with these thoughts. Chad settle down and get married. Start your family. Don't wait until it's too late. You are like me in so many ways. You are so focused on work I'm afraid you are gonna miss out. Oh and if you are still with Meg well I like her. And if not well you have always had great taste in women. Marcus my baby boy, first listen to Chad he knows what he is talking about. I know you will be fine because you are the most levelheaded young man I know. Even more so than Chad was at that age. Keep your dreams a reality. You will never know when your dream will be someone else's use your money wisely and don't blow it because you can. Finish school and get your degree and if you are up to it. Help Chad. And if not don't feel like you have to follow in our steps. Chad found out he wanted to run the record store on his own and I want you to do that too. And last but not least my ladybug. You I worry about most of all because I couldn't give you what you really needed…which was a loving mother. But I did get a chance to give you what you wanted when someone brought it to my attention you really wanted it. A piece of your mother. I lied to you and I am sorry. Your mother wasn't buried with her chain I just couldn't see it on you. I just couldn't let it go. So I told you she had it. She gave it to you the night she went into labor. When I lost her I thought I'll give it to you when the time was right. When Sam called me and asked me where I got your mothers from I knew it was the right time to give it to you. I hope that even now as you are watching this you remember what I told you when I came to see you.

This was something special I gave your mother when I knew I was in love with her. And even though our paths were never meant as more than friends you were proof that a man can love someone and be in love with someone else. You just take care of that necklace. And you take care of yourself. I was scared to let you go but I see it was what was best for you. You are my ladybug and always will be. And if you are still with Sam well he is one lucky man. And if not well any man who wins your heart will have a true prize.

You have something special in you and I am so blessed to be your father. I am the luckiest man on earth because I have some of the greatest kids in the world. And yes that includes my wonderful nieces and Godchildren. My lawyer will handle any other concerns. Please just know, that I love you with every ounce of my body. And I may be gone from this earth but I will always be with you. Now I better go before I start crying more. I love you Chadze, Ladybug and Duke."

The recording stops and everyone sits in silence. The lawyer stepped up.

"These are the random papers your dad had put in your names. And this is for Mercedes. It was among your dad's possessions. He was to give it to you on your wedding day. But seeing how he can't. It was from your mother."